Over the past couple of days, the never-ending David De Gea to Real Madrid rumours reappeared, amid reports they might chase Thibaut Courtois if he refuses to leave Old Trafford.
The report from Diario Gol came across as Florentino Pérez angrily swinging his you-know-what around, using the Spanish giants’ reputation to warn the Manchester United goalkeeper he would be missing out on what he sees as a once in a lifetime opportunity.
While De Gea might have been tempted a few years ago during the renowned #FaxGate summer, that isn’t the case anymore, according to El Confidencial.
The Spanish newspaper explain the last time Florentino Pérez made an attempt to sign him via Jorge Mendes, the Red Devils’ star told the super-agent: “Real Madrid? I’m the goalkeeper of Manchester United and Spain. What more could I ask for?”
After all, things have changed at Old Trafford, and the club are now pretty much competitive on all fronts again.
El Confidencial explain De Gea is comfortable in Manchester, ‘where he can go to his favourite bands’ concert without being swamped by paparazzis, going unnoticed’, and that he feels trusted by both the club and the fans, who regularly express their displeasure whenever Real Madrid are mentioned next to his name.
Because of all this, the La Liga champions have had to switch to another target, Athletic Bilbao’s Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is available to them through a €20m release clause.